Nadal, Swiatek roll in straight sets in Open
Rafael Nadal made it through his latest U.S. Open match in one piece and knocked off Richard Gasquet 6-0, 6-1, 7-5 on Saturday night in New York.
The No. 2 seed Nadal cut himself on the bridge of his nose with his racket in his second-round victory. There was little that slowed him down in beating Gasquet in just over two hours, and he said his nose felt fine. Nadal improved to 18-0 against Gasquet.
Also, No. 1 seed Iga Swiatek swept Lauren Davis 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the fourth round. Swiatek won the last five games of the second set and has a potential path to a U.S. Open championship that does not include any past tournament champions.
HOCKEY
Familiar foes in women’s world final
Canada and the United States set up another showdown in the final of the women’s ice hockey world championship in Herning, Denmark, after blowout victories in the semifinal round. Canada routed Switzerland 8-1 after the Americans beat the Czech Republic 10-1. Taylor Heise had two goals and three assists for the U.S. Since the inaugural women’s worlds in 1990, Canada and the U.S. have faced each other in every final except 2019.
MISCELLANEOUS Gragson claims Darlington Xfinity race
Noah Gragson shot past Sheldon Creed on the final lap to defend his Xfinity Series victory at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina. Tracking leader Creed, Gragson looked like his chance at victory might’ve slipped away when NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson took over second. But as Larson and Creed fought side-by-side, touching several times in the final laps, Gragson moved low around Creed, whose car had a flat tire.
♦ Lucy Li played with a lead for the first time on the LPGA Tour, and the 19-year-old recovered from a sluggish start for a 4-under 67 and a one-shot lead in the Dana Open in Sylvania, Ohio. Lexi Thompson ran off three birdies late in the round for a 65, while Caroline Masson also had a 65. They were one shot behind.
♦ Sophia Smith scored two first-half goals and the U.S. women’s national team defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Kansas City, Kansas, as both prepare for next summer’s World Cup.